The Port is continuing to advance plans for an airport terminal and resiliency facility at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield, a project identified as a priority in the Airport Master Plan for more than a decade.

The proposed facility is intended to strengthen regional aviation services, support economic development, and improve emergency response capabilities throughout the Columbia River Gorge. Current concepts include an approximately 11,850-square-foot facility with space for pilots, visitors, community meetings, and aviation-related services, along with resiliency features such as solar power, battery backup systems, and emergency communications infrastructure.

The estimated project cost is approximately $8.9 million. The Port has applied for federal funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration related to the January 2024 winter storms and is currently awaiting a funding decision.

Final design and construction timelines will depend on funding availability and permitting. If funded, the goal is to have the facility operational by the 2028 fire season.

The project is intended to modernize airport facilities while improving regional transportation resilience, supporting aviation-related commerce, and enhancing emergency preparedness throughout the mid-Columbia region.